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Ann L. Bear

Passed away at home on the evening of November 17, 2012 surrounded by family and many friends. She will be missed deeply by her brother Mark (Linda) Bayer, children, Richard (Lori) Landgarten, Michael (Stephanie) Landgarten, Susan (Michael) Pearson, and step-children Howard (Juli) Bear and Wendy Bear, grandchildren Noah, Joshua, and Maren Landgarten, Isabel and Zachary Pearson, Rachel and Sarah Bear, and niece and nephew Jessica and Danny Bayer. She will also be deeply missed by the many friends that she made throughout her life and throughout the country.

Ann had an extraordinary ability to make friends and build relationships with people of all ages and from all parts of her life. Ann was born in New York on December 27, 1940 and grew up in Kew Gardens, New York and later crisscrossed the country living in New Haven, San Antonio, Tulsa before moving to San Francisco twenty-three years ago after marrying her love, Irwin Bear.

Wherever she was, she found and built community, much of it formed around her dining room table for Shabbat and holiday meals while her guests enjoyed her delicious challah and chopped liver, or in her kitchen while she baked for her family, friends, neighbors, and celebrations.

She was a strong supporter of Jewish community and was active in many Jewish organizations throughout her life, including the Jewish Community Federation, where she is a past president of the Women’s Alliance and a winner of the Judith Chapman Women’s Award for Leadership. She also cared deeply about Israel, traveled there countless times, and expressed her commitment through her active engagement with AIPAC.

She loved dogs almost as much as people and her house was often visited by the many Labradors and other breeds in the neighborhood, searching for a warm tummy rub, a toy to play with, or a treat to enjoy. Her generosity of spirit, unabashed sense of humor, eclectic style, and warm and inviting welcome will be missed by the many, many people she touched throughout her life.

Memorial services were held at Peninsula Temple Sholom on Monday, November 19 and funeral services were held in New York on Wednesday, November 21. In lieu of flowers, for those who can, please donate blood, otherwise, donations to Women in Leadership Fund at Jewish Community Federation or Palliative Care Services at Jewish Family and Children’s Services, would be kindly appreciated.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Robert (Bob) Carlitz

October 11, 1922–November 1, 2012

Bob died peacefully at home in Menlo Park, CA, with his son by his side, three weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday. He lived with Alzheimer’s disease for over 10 years, but for most of that time he had a smile on his face and seemed happy, living in the moment.

A co-resident of the board-and-care home where he lived since 2008 described Bob as “the heart and soul of this place.”

Bob was born in Philadelphia, PA, but happily embraced Bay Area life (and weather) when he was transferred here in 1944 during his Navy service. He met his future wife, Ruth, that year at a San Francisco Jewish Community Center dance, and they were married two years later. They had two children during the Baby Boom and settled in Palo Alto in 1957, where they lived in their Eichler home for more than 50 years. Bob established a very successful accounting practice for physicians and dentists on the Peninsula, and was held in high esteem by clients and colleagues alike.

Bob loved baseball and was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies growing up. Later, he followed the San Francisco Seals, and then became a faithful Giants’ fan. He attended both the first and last Giants’ games played at Candlestick Park with his daughter, and loved teaching his children the fine points of the game. He was a traditionalist — he loathed the terms “ribbies” and “Cubbies” and felt the introduction of the designated hitter was a travesty for baseball.

Bob’s incredible memory for all things numerical — dates, times, statistics — was legendary, as was his knowledge of trivia. He possessed a wealth of information about history, sports, celebrities and other famous figures, and loved sharing stories with anyone and everyone. He had a gregarious personality and was in his element talking and schmoozing for hours.

Bob was a principled man with strong beliefs, and was passionate about the causes he supported. He prided himself on being a staunch Democrat and defender of Israel. He was also a very caring, sensitive man who felt it was important to “do the right thing” and to help those less fortunate, and he could be generous to a fault.

Bob had a profound love and concern for animals and had many beloved pets during his lifetime. He volunteered as a dog-walker for Pets in Need in Redwood City after he retired, and he never turned down requests for charitable donations to organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

Bob was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by his daughter, Elaine (John); his son, Steve (Carol); his sisters, Roberta and Hemmy; his brother-in-law, Harold; and several loyal, long-term friends. He was predeceased by Ruth after 61 years of marriage, and by his brother, Joe.

Funeral services were held at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma, where Bob was laid to rest on November 4, 2012. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Pets in Need, 871 Fifth Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94063, or http://www.petsinneed.org.

Edward H. Land

As a devoted husband and father, Ed died of natural causes on Nov. 13, 2012 at Silverado’s Senior Living Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Ed was 83 years young. Ed was born on March 5, 1929, in Des Moines, IA, the youngest of 7 children, to Russian immigrants Jacob and Mary Ginsberg.

The family moved to San Francisco, CA, where Ed attended school. He met his wife Lillian just before shipping out in the navy during the Korean Conflict; he served as a journalist in the navy. After he was honorably discharged, he worked a few jobs before he went into business for himself as an independent meat jobber, delivering bulk meat and cheese items to restaurants and corner grocery stores all over San Francisco. Upon retiring, Ed and Lillian traveled extensively; they especially enjoyed cruises and took their last cruise to the Panama Canal two years ago.

Ed was an athlete and enjoyed tennis, bowling, and golf in particular. He also enjoyed big band and classical music. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served as Noble Grand, and was a member of the Masons and Scottish Rite. He was president of the brotherhood at Congregation Beth Israel Judea. He was an avid dancer, ranging from ballroom to square dancing. He was known as a joker to all his friends. He was very loved by his family, who affectionately referred to him as “Papa.”

Ed is survived by his beloved wife Lillian, his loving children, Steven Land in Colorado Springs, CO and Sheryll Vanderhooft in Salt Lake City, UT, and his adored grandchildren, Cristina and Steven Land Jr. and Peter and Lauren Vanderhooft.

Graveside services were held on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Olivet Memorial Park, Colma.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Marvin Selcer Siegel

April 10, 1936–November 18, 2012

Marvin died suddenly on November 18th after nearly a decade of living to his full capacity with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Siegel, his devoted children, son Dan Siegel (Lisa Langer), daughter Larissa “Lara” Siegel, and his adoring grandsons, Jacob and Ben Siegel, his step-daughters Anne Scholes, Sara Myers (Thane) and their children, Jake and Tess Restaino, Tegan and Cole Myers, his sister Rhoda Samuels (Peter), sister-in-law Eleanor Coffman and his niece, Rachel Goldberg (Jason) and nephews David Coffman (Heather) and Rabbi Joshua Samuels (Nicole). Marvin was predeceased by his first wife Jerrell Siegel.

Marvin was born in Fargo, North Dakota, and graduated from University of Michigan as a proud ZBT. He was introduced to California by his cousins Bernard and Charlotte Siegel. Once he came to attend Stanford Law School he moved to Menlo Park/Palo Alto permanently.

Marvin established a well-respected law practice, Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure and Flegel. He was a past president of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and served on the boards of Congregation Beth Am, JFCS and Sinai Memorial Chapel.

He took up bike riding midlife and biked until the week before he passed away. He was an avid sports fan, in particular the S.F. Giants and Michigan Wolverines. He and Bonnie loved to travel together. Due to his enjoyment of gadgets and photography, he owned several cameras with which he took thousands of pictures although few were ever seen by his family. He was an avid bridge player and enjoyed spending time in Palm Springs with his family from Minneapolis.

He was an honest, ethical, smart, decisive and trusted advisor, loving, goofy, gadget-loving, family man. His twinkle and special presence will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. Like his father, he was a giant of a man committed to his community and family always thinking of future generations.

The family prefers contributions to: Congregation Beth Am Fund for the Future, JFCS Jerrell Siegel Home Health Care Fund or the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.

Services were held on November 20 at Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, CA with interment at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, Colma, CA.